Call for anti-bullying debate rejected; bill faces uncertain future

DES MOINES - A proposal that gives schools multiple tools to address bullying remains in legislative limbo after Iowa House Republicans on Wednesday rejected an attempt by Democrats to debate and vote on the bill.

Republican leadership provided no guarantee the proposal will receive a vote this year.

Democratic Rep. Chris Hall of Sioux City on Wednesday called for a procedural motion that would have forced a debate and vote on the anti-bullying bill. The motion was defeated, 52-45, with only Republicans opposing.

Four Republicans, including Rep. Ron Jorgensen of Sioux City, supported the request.

The anti-bullying legislation has been eligible for House floor debate since early this month.

This is the third consecutive year the Legislature has pondered anti-bullying legislation, a priority of Republican Gov. Terry Branstad.

The Iowa Senate passed the bill, 43-7, in late March.

'There is broad, bipartisan support for this bill if Republican leaders would just bring it up for debate,” Hall said in a statement. 'Every day Republicans sit on their hands, another kid is harassed online or picked on by his peers but too ashamed to talk with his parents about it. Instead of providing educators, parents and kids with the tools to change the culture of bullying within schools, Republican leaders are unwilling to stand up to the far-right fringe and do what's best for Iowa kids.”

Among the measures in the proposal:

' Schools would be given the authority to address bullying incidents that occur off-grounds, including online.

' Schools would notify parents of bullying incidents unless a school official or the victim thinks parental notification would subject him or her to further abuse.

' Two programs would be created: a student program in which older students would mentor younger students about bullying, and a statewide anti-bullying task force of educators, parents, professional personnel and more to maintain an ongoing discussion of bullying issues.

House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, said Republicans were not prepared to debate the anti-bullying bill Wednesday because they were not notified by Democrats of their motion.

Asked if the anti-bullying bill will get a vote this session, Paulsen said, 'I have no idea.”

'I will say I have concerns about whether or not we're inducing more risk of lawsuits and liability with the way it's written right now,” Paulsen said. 'By us creating new standards and requirements for the schools that I'm not sure how they actually have complete control over the situation.”